Course Details
Contact(s):
Apply Now
Read instructions on how to apply
Express InterestRegister your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.
Brief Description
Please note: Early application is advised. For first round offers please submit your application by 15th January 2025. Offers will be sent out in late January. Later applications should be submitted by 15th March 2025. Applications received after that date may be considered if places are still available.
This programme is designed for psychology and business graduates who are interested in understanding people management in the workplace. It provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about and apply psychological theories to complex work situation in order to maximise organisational effectiveness and employee wellbeing.
This specialist MSc produces professional and self-reflective practitioners who are equipped to make evidence-based contributions to both organisational performance and employee wellbeing. Students acquire in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of theory and empirical evidence -- from psychology and other relevant fields -- that are applicable to the world of work. A wide range of topics are covered including recruitment and selection, leadership, learning and development, motivation and performance, psychometric assessment, work design, employee wellbeing, organisational change, and coaching. The programme recognises the critical role of interpersonal and group skills that underpin the success of Work & Organisational Psychologists and Organisational Behaviour Specialists. Graduates are equipped to use appropriate and ethical, multi-level diagnostic and analytical tools relating to individual, group and organisational problems. The programme also aims to ensure that graduates understand the complex work organisation and its interaction with the broader social, economic and political environment.
The MSc programme currently offers modules leading to a British Psychological Society’s qualification in psychometrics and in Professional Development to assist students in mastering their employability.
The MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology and the MSc in Work & Organisational Behaviour are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), a leading professional body in the field of Human Resource Management. The MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). These MSc programmes were the first in Ireland to receive this double accreditation.
On completion of this programme, it's expected that students will be able to:
- Synthesise and critically analyse evidence, core concepts and theories of work and organisational psychology/behaviour and assess their applicability for a variety of individual and organisational problems.
- Identify contextual issues relevant to organisations and how employees operate, individually and collectively, within them.
- Apply personal effectiveness skills such as proactivity, time management, prioritising, reflection to achieve personal and collective goals.
- Identify, discriminate between and employ appropriate tools and techniques in areas such as recruitment, selection, training and career development, in a variety of settings while maintaining ethical standards.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills to articulate specific areas of investigation in order to solve individual and organisational issues.
- Develop and apply the appropriate skills to solve problems in complex business settings.
- Demonstrate ability to work with others through the application of communication, interpersonal and team effectiveness skills.
Teaching reflects principles of adult learning and evidence-based practice, drawing on students' own work and educational experiences. A variety of approaches are employed in the delivery of the programme, including lectures, experiential learning, case studies, workshops, supervised research, reflective practice, and regular feedback opportunities from both faculty and peers. Students benefit from an educational experience that is balanced in terms of group and individual work, theoretical and practical content, and knowledge and skills-based assessment.
The MSc is designed to be completed through 12 months full-time study. Lectures on the programme are held two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Some assessments and group work will need to be scheduled outside of these hours. Students will be given notice of assessment times and dates as soon as they are available; group work will be up to the group members to organise. In addition, students are required to attend a short course on psychometric testing which is scheduled outside term time, typically in January. The University year consists of two semesters (Spring and Autumn); the dissertation is competed over the summer and submitted at the beginning of August.
Work & Organisational Psychology/Behaviour
| Autumn | Spring | Summer (Full-time and Part-Time Year 2) | |
Tuesday Full-Time and Part-Time Year 1
| PM6431 Sustainable Work Design and Employee Wellbeing (9 ECTS credits) PM6411 The Psychology of Leading People and Organisations (9 ECTS credits) | PM6432 Personnel Psychology, Selection & Assessment (9 ECTS credits) PM6442 The Psychology of Sustainable Work Performance (9 ECTS credits) | PM6143 Dissertation A (12 ECTS credits) PM6153 Dissertation B (12 ECTS credits) PM6133 Psychometric testing (6 ECTS credits)* |
Thursday Full-Time and Part-Time Year 2 | C06001 Professional Development 1 (3 ECTS credits) PM6421 Researching Work and Employment (9 ECTS credits) | C06002 Professional Development 2 (3 ECTS credits) PM6422 Learning and Development (9 ECTS credits) |
*Taught outside of semester in January.
Note: This information is provisional and therefore subject to change.
Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules.
Applicants for the MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour programme must have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a cognate field (e.g., psychology, HRM, HRD, etc.). Three or more years’ work experience is preferred for applicants with a second class (lower) honours degree.
Applicants with an undergraduate psychology degree, accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), are eligible to apply for the MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology. Please note that the onus is on the applicant to prove recognition of their degree by the PSI. All other applicants are eligible to apply for the MSc in Work & Organisational Behaviour.
The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants as deemed necessary.
In the case of international students, applicants must hold a qualification that is equivalent to an Irish or UK honours bachelor's degree (NQAI level 8). The degree must be in a discipline relevant to the postgraduate degree sought.
WHAT TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR APPLICATION:
- Qualification transcripts and certificates
- A copy of your birth certificate or passport
- A copy of your CV (highlighting jobs you have held in the last 5 years, with a brief description of principal duties).
- Please complete and submit with your application, the Competency Form (download here).
- If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice.
- If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
- English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
- English language competency certificate
- Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements
EU Full-time: €10,000 Part-time: €5,500 per annum*
Non- EU Full-time €18,000 Part-time: €10,200 per annum*
*Please not year two fees are subject to change
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)
Career Prospects
Our graduates have moved into a wide range of generalist and specialist positions in areas such as Consultancy, Human Resource Management, Line Management and Social Care.
Job titles include: Organisational Psychologist, Senior Consultant, Recruitment Consultant, Business Analyst, International Executive Search Consultant, Human Resource Specialist, Human Resource Intern, Talent Manager, Talent Development Project Administrator, Project Manager Analyst, Performance Coach, Occupational Health Manager, Social Care Worker, and Disability Support Worker.
Some of the many employers who have hired our graduates include: Accenture, Aon, Korn Ferry, KinchLyons, BMS Performance, Metronic, Northern Trust, Ely Lilly, Fexco, Dunnes Stores, Health Service Executive, and EmployAbility.